Monday, September 2, 2013

Hi everyone! Sorry I’ve been absent for the past month but
life and summer has kept me busy. We’ve been busy planting in our field area
that we had cleared just before snow flew in January. My business suddenly
decided to breath life back into itself and I got the idea in my head that
after a decade I should redesign my website. Do you have any idea how
challenging it is to wrap your head around a computer program after a decade?
And with menopause? Yes I ask for a lot but it’s all good!

Summer has been bountiful as far as plant life goes thanks
to the great amount of rain we received this spring. This is one of my favorite
flowering plants called Sneezeweed. It’s the first to bloom in the spring and the
last to die back in the fall. Best part is it decided for the first time this year
to add some yellows flowers to the arrangement.

I also love Hydrangea, every variety, and I have to say I
love this incrediball Hydrangea. It doesn’t flop from heavy heads and if you
deadhead the flowers it’ll make more. I planted up this little garden two years
ago and my dwarf boxwood hedge is coming in nicely. Another two years and we
should have a real hedge.

Incrediball Hydrangea

Blue Endless Summer, except they need to include a disclaimer with this shrub, it doesn't really bloom all summer!

Limelight Hydrangea

The heads on the limelight get as big as my head and they turn the most incredible green in the fall.

This is a type of Hydrangea Paniculata f. grandiflora and I
love all the ferns just above him along the top of the wall. We get tons of
ferns that will suddenly jump up around here and Mister Man keeps mowing them
down only to have them jump right back up. He isn’t trying to mow the ferns
just the grass but the ferns are literally everywhere!

My best friend Deb, yes even the same name, and I have been
talking a great deal about gardening and Hydrangea and with my birthday coming
up soon she surprised me with an amazing gift clear from Seattle Washington! Two huge Viburnum and a Let’s
dance starlight purple hydrangea. The Viburnum are planted and staked since I’m
going to grow these two as trees and my new Hydrangea went into a new garden I
just started that will be nothing but Hydrangea. I personally don’t think you
can ever have to many Hydrangea.

I don’t know what it is about olive trees but I have a
slight fascination with them so I picked up two small plants early this spring
and imagine my surprise when they actually grew olives!

Yep, they grew olives, black olives that are ripening! This
is very exciting for me and I don’t even like olives….lol.

As for this guy he’s been loving his life of hiking,
swimming although he doesn’t actually swim he’s more of a wader and finding
mud. I snapped this picture the other morning after his hike and he was panting
on his side.

So that’s what I’ve been up to a life of gardening and work
and loving being outdoors. I hope all of you have been enjoying your summer and
I’m going to try and get caught up with you all.

35 comments:

Summer does tend to be all about outdoors and then the time we have to think infuses new life into projects. Wishing you lots of success with your new site and your business.Dylan also always provides comic relief.Back from our walk - so muggy and hot. I am ready for some crisp Autumn weather and all that goes with.pve

Welcome back Debra!! I was thinking of you...glad to see Dylan has been earning his keep:) dirty paws and all. Love the idea of "finding" olives growing....I have always wanted to grow my own and hydrangea are just about my all time favorite....they are so hardy and are like the gift that keeps on giving. Hope your Labor day is relaxing..we were in Boston and despite the dreary weather had a blast but its always nice to be home too.....

I love olive trees, but don't like olives. I wish I did because I like everything else Mediterranean. Your hydrangeas are magnificent. You've reminded me that I want to plant some more with spring fast approaching. I'm glad you've had a good summer. We had a little taste of your winter with some snow this past weekend - it doesn't happen here very often. So was very exciting keep well. Xx Sharon

love your garden, oh those stone walls. agree, one cannot have enough hydrangea. was just at an industry show......wait until you see the new varieties for 2014, good thing you have the land!cheersdebra

Hydrangea is my all time favorite! I am working on planting a full hydrangea garden on one side of the yard. It is so hot here now that they are not doing as well. I will have to wait until the spring to bring in the beauties again.

Debra,I've missed your posts. Your garden areas are amazing and I do love hydrangea. I too was disappointed with the "ever-blooming" hydrangea. Mine has one good bloom session but then just sits the rest of summer. My oak leaf hydrangea never bloomed this year but a) I over cut it last year and b)our summer was very gray and cool. I'm glad your back.Karen

Hi Debra! Glad you are back! Sounds like you've had a wonderful summer. Your plants look so robust:) and the hydrangea are gorgeous.. I like the lime light with a faint touch of green. Dylan looks like he's ready to get into fall mode. Our girls are enjoying the shorter summer days. It seems they know what's ahead. Hope you enjoyed the long weekend! xxL

I canNOT believe its been two years since you did that boxwood border and Hydrangeas!I remember that POST like yesterday!I adore the plants as you do and happy to say I too have all the STYLES you mentioned!They are a glorious plant!Your garden is swimming with WONDERMENT!Congratulations........just beautiful!

Debra! Nice to have you back! I didn't want to stalk you re your absence like last time, so I tried my hardest not to do any "pop ins" or "check ups:-)." Love the new look of the blog and I adore the bigger pics! Beautiful and my, look at ow nature is abuzz on your grounds. So pretty! Love it! Dylan always steals the show though:-). xx

Dear Debra, your mix of Hydrangeas is amazing and what a special friend to send you more! Love those first white ones! Ferns growing everywhere, a paradise indeed. I do love those rich Mediterranean olives with a good Greek Salad and Feta! Yum!

I've missed you. I miss visiting blogs like I used to do...hopefully after we get this store open things will level off a bit. We've hired Zac full time and he is awesome!! Love your garden...you have many talents.

Debra,Hello, and welcome back!! Look at all your gorgeous hydrangeas!! Yes, you are right.....can never have enough of them. It all looks beautiful in your garden. And how loveable is Mister Dylan :) xo,Loi

Love how robust your garden looks right now. Those hydrangeas are heavenly!!! Mine have turned all kinds of colors throughout the summer and right now they are a pretty crimson touched with green. Prettier than I remember in the past.

Love the sweet and thoughtful gifts from your friend!!! She obviously knows what makes you happy!!!

Oh, some how I missed this post, Debra! Your gardens are so beautiful. Those hydrangeas. Wow. We're working on a landscaping update at our house and I am going to have to add several of the "limelight" variety! I hope you continue to keep happily busy as summer turns into fall. Enjoy the weekend! XOXO